Ald. Ameya Pawar Drops Out Of Governor's Race, Citing Lack Of Money

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago Alderman Ameya Pawar dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination for governor due to a lack of resources, he announced Thursday. He said continuing the campaign would mean a choice between cutting staff and taking on personal debt, so he choose instead to end his candidacy.

Pawar represents the 47th Ward on the North Side, including the neighborhoods of Lincoln Square, North Center and Ravenswood.

In a letter to supporters, Pawar, 37, said his campaign managed to raise $828,000 from 2,2526 donors, recruit 3,200 volunteers and obtain 10,000 signatures. He apologized to supporters that he did not "have the extraordinary wealth or extraordinarily wealthy connections" to complete in what is projected to become the most expensive race in U.S. history.

Even as he ended his gubernatorial bid, Pawar, born in Evanston to parents who immigrated from India, announced a new project. He said he is launching a new political action committee, One Illinois, to "organize young people around progressive issues and fight the false and bigoted divides around race, class, and geography."

Pawar said he was not ready to endorse any of his former opponents for the Democratic nomination, and he did not rule out running for mayor in 2019 against Rahm Emanuel, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. (Pawar previously told Chicago Magazine he would not challenge Emanuel if the incumbent sought another term.) He said he intended to stick with his pledge to serve just two terms on the city council.

In the wake of Pawar's announcement, Emanuel and several of Pawar's opponents issued statements praising his campaign, according to Capital Fax.

"Ald. Pawar has been a strong voice on the city council, not just for his ward but for Chicago,” Emanuel said. “While he may have ended his bid for the governor’s office I have no doubt his commitment to public service and his commitment to using his voice to stand up for others will continue.”

Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) responded to the news in a series of tweets, praising Pawar for "an incredible campaign that elevated the effects of systemic inequality on working families."

"Illinois and the Democratic Party are better for it, but we still have a long way to go. Good candidates are being pushed out of races by big money and insiders. If you care about democracy, this should be unacceptable," Biss said. “As a father, I know how tough campaign life can be. Thanks to Charna and Sigalit for sacrificing so that Ameya can serve the people of Illinois. And thank you to Ameya’s supporters for the energy and commitment they’ve shown to progressive politics this year.”

Chris Kennedy described Pawar as "a committed public servant motivated by social justice" and thanked him for representing Illinoisans "who have been left behind by a failed government" that helps only the wealthy and well-connected.

"Ideas and solutions from a thoughtful, progressive leader like Alderman Pawar are critical to the future of our state," Kennedy said. "We should all be disappointed in a system where money is driving people out of politics and, in turn, silencing conversations that drive change."

J.B. Pritzker thanked Pawar for "running a positive campaign" focused on progressive values.

"Ameya made the race for our state’s highest office a real conversation about the issues that affect all Illinoisans—increasing public school funding, providing universal child care and paid family leave, creating jobs through investing in infrastructure, and reforming our criminal justice system," Pritzker said. "With his running mate, Mayor Tyrone Coleman, this was a ticket that focused on how we can lift up communities from Chicago to Cairo."

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